Breaking News English Lesson: Mind-Control Car

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Mercedes makes mind-control car (9th September, 2021)

The Reading / Listening - Mind-Control Car - Level 3

Cars are becoming more and more technologically advanced. In the past decade, we have seen improvements in electric car technology and driverless cars. The latest advance comes from Mercedes-Benz. The luxury carmaker has unveiled a car that lets you use your mind to control certain things. The car giant unveiled its futuristic car at the IAA Mobility show in Munich earlier this week. The car is called Vision AVTR. The four capitalized letters at the end of its name are to make people think of the movie Avatar. This movie was about using the brain to connect with nature. A Mercedes spokesperson said the car would not be available for purchase any time soon. It is currently in the concept stage of production.

Mercedes is using a technology called brain-computer interface (BCI) in the Vision AVTR. The car's computers "read" brain signals and translate them into actions. Mercedes says the system needs about a minute to get to understand a new driver's thought processes. The driver will then be able to perform certain functions in the car using just their thoughts. Mercedes spokeswoman Britta Seeger spoke about how exciting she thought the futuristic car was. She said: "Mercedes-Benz is setting another milestone in the merging of man and machine." The Mercedes website says: "As soon as you get in, the car becomes an extension of your own body and a tool to discover the environment."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Mind-Control Car - Level 0, Mind-Control Car - Level 1 or Mind-Control Car - Level 2

Sources

https://mashable.com/article/mercedes-benz-vision-avtr-mind-read
https://www.techradar.com/news/mercedes-is-showing-off-actual-working-in-car-mind-control
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/16065137/new-mercedes-vision-avtr-mind-control-brain/

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. MERCEDES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Mercedes. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
cars / advanced / decade / technology / luxury / carmaker / futuristic / nature / stage
technology / computers / translate / driver / exciting / milestone / website / tool
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. LUXURY: Students A strongly believe companies should not be making luxury cars; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. MIND CONTROL: What would these things be like if we could control them with our minds? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Good Things	Bad Things
Our car
Our house
Our smartphone
Shopping malls
Other people
Games

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. DECADE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "decade". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. CARS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best kinds of cars at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Sports cars
Classic cars
Sedans
Jeeps
Stretch limousines
7-seaters
SUVs
Small cars

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	advanced	a.	A period of ten years.
2.	decade	b.	Great comfort, especially when involving expensive things.
3.	improvements	c.	Far on or ahead in development or progress.
4.	luxury	d.	Some things but not others.
5.	unveiled	e.	Showed or announced publicly for the first time.
6.	certain	f.	Buy.
7.	purchase	g.	Examples of getting better.

Paragraph 2

8.	interface	h.	A part that is added to something to make it larger or longer.
9.	translate	i.	Carry out an action, task, or function.
10.	process	j.	Having or involving very modern technology or design.
11.	perform	k.	A program that lets a user communicate with a computer.
12.	futuristic	l.	Change something into another form.
13.	merging	m.	Joining to make a single thing.
14.	extension	n.	A series of actions or steps taken in order to do something.

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

Cars are becoming less technologically advanced. T / F
The car was unveiled at the New York Motor Show. T / F
Mercedes named the car based on the movie Avatar. T / F
The Mercedes car will be on sale from next year. T / F
Computers in the car spend one minute "reading" the driver's mind. T / F
A spokeswoman said the car wasn't so futuristic. T / F
A spokeswoman said the car shows man and machine were joining. T / F
Mercedes said the car would allow people to discover the environment. T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

decade
latest
unveiled
connect
concept
translate
processes
setting
merging
extension

addition
activity
idea
joining
most recent
10 years
putting in place
link
change
showed

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

Cars are becoming more and more
In the past
The luxury
The car giant unveiled its
using the brain to connect
Mercedes is using a technology called
read brain signals and translate
The driver will then be able to perform
the merging of man
a tool to

brain-computer interface
futuristic car
discover the environment
with nature
certain functions
technologically advanced
and machine
decade
them into actions
carmaker

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

advance
connect
earlier
more
certain
stage
decade
end

Cars are becoming more and (1) _____________________ technologically advanced. In the past (2) _____________________, we have seen improvements in electric car technology and driverless cars. The latest (3) _____________________ comes from Mercedes-Benz. The luxury carmaker has unveiled a car that lets you use your mind to control (4) _____________________ things. The car giant unveiled its futuristic car at the IAA Mobility show in Munich (5) _____________________ this week. The car is called Vision AVTR. The four capitalized letters at the (6) _____________________ of its name are to make people think of the movie Avatar. This movie was about using the brain to (7) _____________________ with nature. A Mercedes spokesperson said the car would not be available for purchase any time soon. It is currently in the concept (8) _____________________ of production.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

driver
exciting
translate
tool
interface
merging
thought
just

Mercedes is using a technology called brain-computer (9) _____________________ (BCI) in the Vision AVTR. The car's computers "read" brain signals and (10) _____________________ them into actions. Mercedes says the system needs about a minute to get to understand a new driver's (11) _____________________ processes. The (12) _____________________ will then be able to perform certain functions in the car using (13) _____________________ their thoughts. Mercedes spokeswoman Britta Seeger spoke about how (14) _____________________ she thought the futuristic car was. She said: "Mercedes-Benz is setting another milestone in the (15) _____________________ of man and machine." The Mercedes website says: "As soon as you get in, the car becomes an extension of your own body and a (16) _____________________ to discover the environment."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Cars are becoming more and more ______
     a. technologically advance
     b. technologically advanced
     c. technologically advance
     d. technologically advancing
2) we have seen improvements in electric car technology ______
     a. and drivers less cars
     b. and driver lest cars
     c. and drive alas cars
     d. and driverless cars
3) The luxury carmaker has unveiled a car that lets you use your mind to ______
     a. control certain things
     b. control curtain things
     c. control sir tin things
     d. control cert in things
4) This movie was about using the brain to ______
     a. connect wither nature
     b. connect within nature
     c. connect with nature
     d. connect without nature
5) the car would not be available for purchase any time soon. It is currently in ______
     a. the cons step stage
     b. the con except stage
     c. the concept stage
     d. the concert stage

6) The car's computers "read" brain signals and translate ______
     a. them into actions
     b. them onto actions
     c. them unto actions
     d. them in two actions
7) the system needs about a minute to get to understand a new ______
     a. driver's taught processes
     b. driver's throughout processes
     c. driver's fought processes
     d. driver's thought processes
8) The driver will then be able to perform certain functions in the car using ______
     a. justly their thoughts
     b. just their thoughts
     c. adjust their thoughts
     d. justice their thoughts
9) Mercedes-Benz is setting another milestone in the ______ and machine
     a. emerging of man
     b. emergency man
     c. merge gin of man
     d. merging of man
10) As soon as you get in, the car becomes an extension of your own body ______
     a. and day tool
     b. end a tool
     c. and a tool
     d. an day tool

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Cars are becoming (1) ____________________ technologically advanced. In the past decade, we have seen improvements in electric car technology and driverless cars. The (2) ____________________ from Mercedes-Benz. The luxury carmaker has unveiled a car that lets you use your mind to control certain things. The (3) ____________________ its futuristic car at the IAA Mobility show in Munich earlier this week. The car is called Vision AVTR. The four capitalized letters (4) ____________________ of its name are to make people think of the movie Avatar. This movie was about using the brain to (5) ____________________. A Mercedes spokesperson said the car would not be available for purchase any time soon. It is currently in (6) ____________________ of production.

Mercedes is using a technology called (7) ____________________ (BCI) in the Vision AVTR. The car's computers "read" brain signals and translate (8) ____________________. Mercedes says the system needs about a minute to get to understand a new driver's thought processes. The driver will then be able to (9) ____________________ in the car using just their thoughts. Mercedes spokeswoman Britta Seeger spoke about how exciting she thought the (10) ____________________. She said: "Mercedes-Benz is setting another milestone in the (11) ____________________ and machine." The Mercedes website says: "As soon as you get in, the car becomes an extension of your own body and a (12) ____________________ the environment."

Comprehension questions

What does the article say is becoming more technologically advanced?
In which city was the car unveiled?
What movie influenced the name of the car?
When will people be able to buy the car?
What stage of production is the car in?
What does BCI mean?
How long does the car need to read the driver's brain?
Who is Britta Seeger?
What does Mercedes say the car becomes an extension of?
What will the car allow people to discover?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What does the article say is becoming more technologically advanced?
a) roads
b) batteries
c) cars
d) transport
2) In which city was the car unveiled?
a) Munich
b) New York
c) Tokyo
d) Buenos Aires
3) What movie influenced the name of the car?
a) Frozen
b) Avatar
c) Titanic
d) Baby Driver
4) When will people be able to buy the car?
a) in two years
b) never
c) next year
d) no time soon

5) What stage of production is the car in?
a) a assembly stage
b) the final stage
c) the concept stage
d) the third stage

6) What does BCI mean?
a) battery compartment in-tray
b) brain-computer interface
c) brake-combustion ignition
d) big computer idea
7) How long does the car need to read the driver's brain?
a) a few seconds
b) an hour
c) a millisecond
d) about a minute
8) Who is Britta Seeger?
a) a brain expert
b) a Mercedes spokesperson
c) a battery maker
d) a journalist
9) What does Mercedes say the car becomes an extension of?
a) technology
b) our body
c) the brain
d) society
10) What will the car allow people to discover?
a) the environment
b) themselves
c) speed
d) the future

Role play

Role A – Sports Cars
You think sports cars are the best cars. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cars. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): small cars, SUVs or stretch limousines.

Role B – Small Cars
You think small cars are the best cars. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cars. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): sports cars, SUVs or stretch limousines.

Role C – SUVs
You think SUVs are the best cars. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cars. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): small cars, sports cars or stretch limousines.

Role D – Stretch Limousines
You think stretch limousines are the best cars. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cars. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): small cars, SUVs or sports cars.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'mind'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'control'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• Share your findings with your partners.

• Make questions using the words you found.

• Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

•Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

advanced

latest

mind

four

connect

stage

signals

system

perform

spoke

machine

body

Student survey

Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Discussion - Mind-Control Car

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'mind control'?
What do you know about Mercedes?
What kinds of cars do you like?
Are high-tech cars better than old cars?
What do you think of electric cars?
What do you think of driverless cars?
Do you like futuristic things?
Would you like to control things with your mind?
What will cars be like in 50 years from now?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'car'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you think of Mercedes?
Would you like to control things in your house with your mind?
What are the dangers of a mind-controlled car?
What do you think of the merging of humans and machines?
Can a car become an extension of your body?
What would you like to control with your mind?
What questions would you like to ask the boss of Mercedes?

Discussion — Write your own questions

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

Cars are becoming more and more technologically (1) ____. In the past decade, we have seen improvements in electric car technology and driverless cars. The latest advance comes from Mercedes-Benz. The luxury carmaker has (2) ____ a car that lets you use your mind to control certain things. The car (3) ____ unveiled its futuristic car at the IAA Mobility show in Munich earlier this week. The car is called Vision AVTR. The four (4) ____ letters at the end of its name are to make people think of the movie Avatar. This movie was about (5) ____ the brain to connect with nature. A Mercedes spokesperson said the car would not be available (6) ____ purchase any time soon. It is currently in the concept stage of production.

Mercedes is using a technology called brain-computer interface (BCI) (7) ____ the Vision AVTR. The car's computers "read" brain signals and translate them into actions. Mercedes says the system needs about a minute (8) ____ get to understand a new driver's thought processes. The driver will then be able to perform certain functions in the car using (9) ____ their thoughts. Mercedes spokeswoman Britta Seeger spoke about how (10) ____ she thought the futuristic car was. She said: "Mercedes-Benz is setting another milestone in the (11) ____ of man and machine." The Mercedes website says: "As soon as you get in, the car becomes an extension of your own body and a (12) ____ to discover the environment."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) ahead (b) forwarding (c) improve (d) advanced
(a) velvet (b) valet (c) veiled (d) unveiled
(a) gigantic (b) giant (c) gallant (d) gaunt
(a) capped (b) catapulted (c) capitalized (d) capitol
(a) uses (b) use (c) using (d) usage
(a) for (b) by (c) at (d) of
(a) of (b) in (c) at (d) to
(a) to (b) for (c) on (d) at
(a) adjust (b) just (c) justly (d) justice
(a) excite (b) excitement (c) exciting (d) excites
(a) pride (b) positively (c) merging (d) happened
(a) gear (b) stuff (c) equipment (d) tool

Spelling

Paragraph 1

more technologically ndeadvca
The xulyur carmaker
The car giant unveiled its tisruitfuc car
The four laiztpicade letters
the car would not be available for shacepru
in the npteocc stage of production

Paragraph 2

a technology called brain-computer feteicarn
tetsnaral them into actions
a new driver's thought rsceopsse
perform certain nconfisut
the irmngge of man and machine
an etosnxeni of your own body

Put the text back together

(...) to understand a new driver's thought processes. The driver will then be able to perform certain
(...) car at the IAA Mobility show in Munich earlier this week. The car is called Vision AVTR. The four capitalized
(...) carmaker has unveiled a car that lets you use your mind to control certain things. The car giant unveiled its futuristic
(...) Mercedes is using a technology called brain-computer interface (BCI) in the Vision AVTR. The car's computers "read" brain
(...) signals and translate them into actions. Mercedes says the system needs about a minute to get
(...) of man and machine." The Mercedes website says: "As soon as you get in, the car becomes
(...) an extension of your own body and a tool to discover the environment."
(...) available for purchase any time soon. It is currently in the concept stage of production.
(...) functions in the car using just their thoughts. Mercedes spokeswoman Britta Seeger spoke about how exciting she
(...) in electric car technology and driverless cars. The latest advance comes from Mercedes-Benz. The luxury
(...) about using the brain to connect with nature. A Mercedes spokesperson said the car would not be
(...) thought the futuristic car was. She said: "Mercedes-Benz is setting another milestone in the merging
(...) letters at the end of its name are to make people think of the movie Avatar. This movie was
( 1 ) Cars are becoming more and more technologically advanced. In the past decade, we have seen improvements

Put the words in the right order

becoming more advanced . Cars are more and technologically
electric have in seen technology . We car improvements
use that your car mind . A you lets
its car giant futuristic The unveiled car .
in It's stage of currently production . the concept
interface . technology Mercedes using a is brain-computer called
Get understand a to new driver's thought processes .
the How was . futuristic thought she car exciting
man merging milestone machine . Another and in
becomes body . an extension The your of car

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Cars are becoming more and more / most technologically advanced. In the past decade, we have seen improves / improvements in electric car technology and driverless cars. The latest advance coming / comes from Mercedes-Benz. The luxury carmaker has veiled / unveiled a car that lets you use your mind to control certain / curtain things. The car giant unveiled its futuristic car at the IAA Mobility show in Munich earlier next / this week. The car is called Vision AVTR. The four capitalized numbers / letters at the end of its name are to make people think of the movie Avatar. This movie was about using the brain for / to connect with nature. A Mercedes spokesperson said the car would not be / have available for purchase any time soon. It is currently in the contact / concept stage of production.

Mercedes is useful / using a technology called brain-computer interface (BCI) in the Vision AVTR. The car's computers "read" brainy / brain signals and translate them into actions. Mercedes says the system needs about the / a minute to get to understand a new / newt driver's thought processes. The driver will then be able to reform / perform certain functions in the car using adjust / just their thoughts. Mercedes spokeswoman Britta Seeger spoke about how exciting she thought the futurism / futuristic car was. She said: "Mercedes-Benz is setting another milestone in the merging / purging of man and machine." The Mercedes website says: "As once / soon as you get in, the car becomes an extension of your own body and a tool to discover the environmental / environment."

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

C_rs _r_ b_c_m_ng m_r_ _nd m_r_ t_chn_l_g_c_lly _dv_nc_d. _n th_ p_st d_c_d_, w_ h_v_ s__n _mpr_v_m_nts _n _l_ctr_c c_r t_chn_l_gy _nd dr_v_rl_ss c_rs. Th_ l_t_st _dv_nc_ c_m_s fr_m M_rc_d_s-B_nz. Th_ l_x_ry c_rm_k_r h_s _nv__l_d _ c_r th_t l_ts y__ _s_ y__r m_nd t_ c_ntr_l c_rt__n th_ngs. Th_ c_r g__nt _nv__l_d _ts f_t_r_st_c c_r _t th_ ___ M_b_l_ty sh_w _n M_n_ch __rl__r th_s w__k. Th_ c_r _s c_ll_d V_s__n _VTR. Th_ f__r c_p_t_l_z_d l_tt_rs _t th_ _nd _f _ts n_m_ _s t_ m_k_ p__pl_ th_nk _f th_ m_v__ _v_t_r. Th_s m_v__ w_s _b__t _s_ng th_ br__n t_ c_nn_ct w_th n_t_r_. _ M_rc_d_s sp_k_sp_rs_n s__d th_ c_r w__ld n_t b_ _v__l_bl_ f_r p_rch_s_ _ny t_m_ s__n. _t _s c_rr_ntly _n th_ c_nc_pt st_g_ _f pr_d_ct__n.

M_rc_d_s _s _s_ng _ t_chn_l_gy c_ll_d br__n-c_mp_t_r _nt_rf_c_ (BC_) _n th_ V_s__n _VTR. Th_ c_r's c_mp_t_rs "r__d" br__n s_gn_ls _nd tr_nsl_t_ th_m _nt_ _ct__ns. M_rc_d_s s_ys th_ syst_m n__ds _b__t _ m_n_t_ t_ g_t t_ _nd_rst_nd _ n_w dr_v_r's th__ght pr_c_ss_s. Th_ dr_v_r w_ll th_n b_ _bl_ t_ p_rf_rm c_rt__n f_nct__ns _n th_ c_r _s_ng j_st th__r th__ghts. M_rc_d_s sp_k_sw_m_n Br_tt_ S__g_r sp_k_ _b__t h_w _xc_t_ng sh_ th__ght th_ f_t_r_st_c c_r w_s. Sh_ s__d: "M_rc_d_s-B_nz _s s_tt_ng _n_th_r m_l_st_n_ _n th_ m_rg_ng _f m_n _nd m_ch_n_." Th_ M_rc_d_s w_bs_t_ s_ys: "_s s__n _s y__ g_t _n, th_ c_r b_c_m_s _n _xt_ns__n _f y__r _wn b_dy _nd _ t__l t_ d_sc_v_r th_ _nv_r_nm_nt."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

cars are becoming more and more technologically advanced in the past decade we have seen improvements in electric car technology and driverless cars the latest advance comes from mercedesbenz the luxury carmaker has unveiled a car that lets you use your mind to control certain things the car giant unveiled its futuristic car at the iaa mobility show in munich earlier this week the car is called vision avtr the four capitalized letters at the end of its name are to make people think of the movie avatar this movie was about using the brain to connect with nature a mercedes spokesperson said the car would not be available for purchase any time soon it is currently in the concept stage of production

mercedes is using a technology called braincomputer interface bci in the vision avtr the cars computers read brain signals and translate them into actions mercedes says the system needs about a minute to get to understand a new drivers thought processes the driver will then be able to perform certain functions in the car using just their thoughts mercedes spokeswoman britta seeger spoke about how exciting she thought the futuristic car was she said mercedesbenz is setting another milestone in the merging of man and machine the mercedes website says as soon as you get in the car becomes an extension of your own body and a tool to discover the environment

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Carsarebecomingmoreandmoretechnologicallyadvanced.Inthepast
decade,wehaveseenimprovementsinelectriccartechnologyanddrive
rlesscars.ThelatestadvancecomesfromMercedes-Benz.Theluxuryc
armakerhasunveiledacarthatletsyouuseyourmindtocontrolcertainth
ings.ThecargiantunveileditsfuturisticcarattheIAAMobilityshowinMu
nichearlierthisweek.ThecariscalledVisionAVTR.Thefourcapitalizedle
ttersattheendofitsnamearetomakepeoplethinkofthemovieAvatar.T
hismoviewasaboutusingthebraintoconnectwithnature.AMercedessp
okespersonsaidthecarwouldnotbeavailableforpurchaseanytimesoo
n.Itiscurrentlyintheconceptstageofproduction.Mercedesisusingatech
nologycalledbrain-computerinterface(BCI)intheVisionAVTR.Th
ecar'scomputers"read"brainsignalsandtranslatethemintoactions.M
ercedessaysthesystemneedsaboutaminutetogettounderstandanew
driver'sthoughtprocesses.Thedriverwillthenbeabletoperformcertain
functionsinthecarusingjusttheirthoughts.MercedesspokeswomanBr
ittaSeegerspokeabouthowexcitingshethoughtthefuturisticcarwas.S
hesaid:"Mercedes-Benzissettinganothermilestoneinthemergingo
fmanandmachine."TheMercedeswebsitesays:"Assoonasyougetin,t
hecarbecomesanextensionofyourownbodyandatooltodiscovertheen
vironment."

Free writing

Write about the lesson page for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

Controlling technology with the mind is a great idea. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. MIND CONTROL: Make a poster about mind control. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. FUTURISTIC CARS: Write a magazine article about making all cars driverless and mind-controlled. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on cars. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make cars better. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

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Answers

(Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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